Wound to Chest

If you wish to have the best functional and cosmetic outcome, no matter the cost.

If you are concerned by the size and severity of the wound.

If the wound occurred within the last 24 hours.

Code Orange - Call Your Vet at Their First Available Office Hours

If the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE) suggest the horse is otherwise normal.

If the wound occurred over 24 hours ago.

Wounds to the muscle of the front of the chest (the pectoral muscles) are fairly common and can be huge. Even severe wounds in this area tend to heal well, unless they contain foreign bodies or involve important anatomy. The chest muscles are large, the skin is very loose and drainage tends to be excellent. For these reasons, wounds generally heal very well here, even without repair. Even massive wounds here have an amazing ability to contract and heal with little scarring.

WHAT TO DO

Assess your horse’s general health using the Whole Horse Exam (WHE) and assess the wound. How old do you think it is? Are there large loose flaps of skin and muscle? Take a photo of the wound and share it, and your findings and concerns with your vet.

Most wounds to this area heal very well left open. However, you have the best chance to achieve a good functional and cosmetic repair if your vet is given the opportunity to examine and repair it promptly.

WHAT YOUR VET DOES

Your vet evaluates chest wounds knowing that many do heal well without repair. On the other hand, there are cases in which surgical repair is still the best option.

What Not To Do

Do not apply antibiotic products to the injury, unless advised to do so by your vet.

CONTACT US

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